All morning, I have had a singular song playing in my head, "Amen". It's an old American spiritual that was featured in the movie, The Lilies of the Field. Sidney Poitier sings it round a table of German nuns in the American desert southwest. Sounds hokey, but it is a remarkable film, a rare book, and the song is joyful.
The only other rendition I've heard that I enjoy as much was hearing my ex-husband, Jack, and his sister, Jill, sing Amen during a tough time for their mum. Beautiful.
I love how simple the song is and even I can sing the refrain…Amen. And if you know a bit more about the word, Amen, than that it bookends lots of praying, the song becomes sweeter still.
"Amen" is translated directly from Hebrew as "so be it." Less a demand of authority and more of a laying down of my demands and expectations – a surrendering, that means " be firm, confirmed, reliable, faithful, have faith, believe." It is not monopolized by the Christian faith, but is shared by the Jewish and Muslim faiths as well. That's a lot for a little word.
"Amen" was the first thing roiling through my morning thoughts today. I couldn't remember the lyrics so I found the YouTube video of Poitier singing it and listened to it so many times that I was late for church.
And when Shad, pastor of Revo Church, said today, "When the world of trouble crashes in through your door, don't blame God. Thank him because he will not forget about you." Amen. Confirmed. Reliable. Faithful. So be it.
The story in the song is featured below; simple, fresh, free from religious dogma and caked on makeup. It is part of our American faith story – sung first by slaves and captives. It's authentic voice is a gift to us who would later renounce our captivity and celebrate the manger baby. Enjoy.
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(Traditional)
Amen, amen See the little baby See Him at the seashore Riding through Jerusalem See Him in the garden Led before Pilate Hallelujah! Glory hallelujah! |
Today's Blog Bonus: Seedfolks by Paul Fleischman. Simple and brief like the song above and equally poignant. You'll find world changers of every shape and size, an emerging community, surprising plot twists, and a reminder that what is done in love can change the world.
Super Blog Bonus: "Manger" means "to eat" in French…yep. Something to get distracted by next Christmas season. It is pronounced mon'-zay (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Fr-manger.ogg)
Well done Allie, I can now say “amen” with more intent and understanding